Microsoft Likely To Invest In Bangalore

The Karnataka government has disclosed that global software giant Microsoft is considering a facility in Bangalore.

It made the announcement after being criticised by CEOs at a meeting organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) in Bangalore on Monday for `losing out' Microsoft's proposed Rs 300 crore investment to Hyderabad.

This was the first time the Karnataka government broke its silence on the controversial issue, which has plagued it since Microsoft chief Bill Gates announced plans to establish his company's third software development centre at Hyderabad's High Tech city.

The Karnataka government refused to give further details but stressed that it took a lot of effort to woo Bill Gates to Bangalore.

"We made an offer (to Microsoft) better than any other state. We even asked Bill Gates to come here. So, in response to that, Microsoft is also investing in the state now," Karnataka's principal secretary for industries and commerce Vishwanatha said.

"Even in the US, Microsoft has no centre at Silicon Valley. Its move to Hyderabad does not at all imply that it intends to ignore India's Silicon Valley," he said.

Microsoft, which is setting up a product development centre at Hyderabad, is said to have acquired a 16 acre plot in High Tech city.

The proposed project is the third such centre after those at its headquarter at Redmond, US, and Israel.